Title: Communications Manager

Division: Communications

Classification: Salaried, regular full-time exempt

Supported by: Director of Communications & Visitor Experience

Supports: Associated volunteers                

Salary Range: $50,000-$56,000 DOE          

About us

The High Desert Museum opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. As an interdisciplinary museum, it shares the stories of the High Desert region through cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of the High Desert region, which spans across 11 states of the Intermountain West. The Museum features 100,000 square feet of indoor space, which includes two permanent exhibitions and three changing galleries, and outdoor exhibits beyond the main building that include the Autzen Otter Exhibit, the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center and the 1904 High Desert Ranch. The Museum also offers a range of programs, from summer Kids Camps to wildlife photography workshops. In FY2023-24, which ended on June 30, 2024, the Museum welcomed nearly 225,000 visitors, more than double the size of Bend.

The Museum is a private, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. It has become the largest cultural institution in Oregon east of the Cascades over the last four decades and today is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

This job and what you’ll do

The High Desert Museum makes for an amazing in person workplace, where you’ll be filming otters one moment and meeting artists the next. The Communications Manager’s role at its core is that of lead storyteller—to connect with smart, engaging people doing  meaningful work here at the Museum, tease out these stories and then raise awareness about them—the exhibitions and programs, fundraising efforts and behind-the-scenes initiatives—among key target audiences through appropriate mediums.

The Communications Manager leads the content and management of the Museum’s digital communications, bringing storytelling efforts to the fore through social media, eblasts, website and other mediums. These efforts require a person who has a way with words and also enjoys using cameras and iPhones to capture imagery and video along the way. This is a full-time, salaried position and will require occasional attendance at evening and weekend events.

In addition to our strong health and welfare benefits, the museum also provides full-time employees with 10.5 paid holidays, your birthday off, plus three personal days per calendar year (this will be prorated based on hire date). You will also accrue two weeks of paid vacation per year for the first year of employment.

Who you are

You are above all passionate about the Museum’s mission. You’re comfortable in a fast-paced culture and appreciate the diversity of duties—it means you’re always learning! You like to try new things and will regularly bring ideas to the table. But you’re also detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and timeliness. With such a public-facing role, you understand the responsibility of being the Museum’s digital voice and use sound judgement throughout your work. While you can work independently, you also appreciate collaborating with others. And you do it all with a can-do attitude and a sense of humor!

Want to learn more?

For a detailed job description listing the essential functions of this position and the education, experience, and skills preferences, click here.

Importantly, we recognize and honor that the qualifications required to excel in this position can come from a range of both professional and lived experiences. In the job description we describe what we believe to be important qualifications for a candidate to have while remaining open to the diversity of experiences that can lead to these skill sets. Position descriptions are often presented in a way that leaves qualified candidates feeling unwelcome, intimidated, uncomfortable and/or unqualified to apply. Recognizing that, we strongly encourage anyone who feels passionate about this work and believes they have what it takes to thrive in this role to apply.

Want to apply?

Please send a resume, cover letter and 3-5 samples of your work—whether online or print, article or social media post—to: jobs@highdesertmuseum.org

The Museum provides an equal employment opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/transgender status, age, disability, veteran or marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Mission

The High Desert Museum wildly excites and responsibly teaches through innovative, interdisciplinary experiences, creating connection to and dialogue about the High Desert.